On Friday, the Supreme Court of Pakistan ruled that Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is eligible for reserved seats for women and minorities, marking a significant setback for Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s coalition. The decision, announced by an eight-judge majority led by Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, overturned previous rulings by the Peshawar High Court (PHC) and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), which had denied PTI these seats.
The PTI-backed Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) had previously appealed against these denials, leading to the Supreme Court’s involvement. The Court found that the PHC and ECP decisions were unconstitutional. This ruling reduces the ruling coalition’s majority in the lower house of Parliament from 228 to 209 seats, as 77 lawmakers from various parties were suspended.
PTI members, including former aides and leaders, celebrated the decision and demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Sikander Sultan Raja, accusing him of constitutional violations. They expressed their support for the Supreme Court’s ruling, claiming it to be a step towards justice and democracy in Pakistan.
